Full Moon Tonight & Lunar Eclipse: astronomy & astrology

As I mentioned in my post July Wrap-Up : : August What’s Up, there’s a penumbral or partial lunar eclipse tonight–the third eclipse in six weeks!

What’s an eclipse? Lunar eclipse: earth comes between sun and moon and the earth shadow lands on the moon. Solar eclipse: moon between sun and earth; moon blocks sun from earth.

The moon is full today August 5 at 5:55pm Pacific coast time; it rises at 7:43pm and the sunset’s at 7:40pm. When is the eclipse? Unfortunately for most of us in north America, the eclipse is going on when it is sunlight for us, so we won’t see any of the action, even if we might feel it. But for those more east, like in Africa, Europe and South America, there won’t be much of a show, either, because it’s only a partial eclipse. For more astronomy about this particular eclipse, check out the wikipedia site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_2009_lunar_eclipse

What does it mean astrologically? CHANGE!

According to Astrology.com:

Eclipses bring changes, good and bad. Usually they come in pairs twice a year, but this summer we will have 3 eclipses: a lunar on July 7, a dramatic total solar eclipse on July 21 and now a partial eclipse of the Moon on August 5. The eclipse will be completely visible over Africa and Europe and South America. It will be seen rising over eastern North America and setting over Asia. During a lunar eclipse, the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow on the Moon.

Eclipses are like big exclamation points and since this eclipse is in Aquarius, a sign that is focused on the workings of the larger group or community, expect confusing leadership situations, power struggles and sharp words. In addition to the heightened emotions of this full Moon, an active pattern of planetary aspects also adds drama to this eclipse. The placement of Aquarius in your personal chart will define how it impacts your life over the next five months.

If Aquarius is in your First or Seventh House, the eclipse will signal a period of personal development and growth. And if Aquarius is in your Seventh House, the focus will be on growth and development in your relationships.

An eclipse in the Second House will always make you more aware of your attachments: the things that you believe you cannot survive without. But an eclipse in the Eighth House highlights your responsibilities to others: both physically and emotionally.

When occurring in the Third House, you will be forced to confront fears and your communication style. And in the Ninth House, you will be forced to consider the bigger picture of your life. How do you want to grow and expand?

In the Fifth or Eleventh House, the focus on the next five months will be on issues of individual expression and group participation. In the Fifth House, the eclipse will stir up the creative urge, or represent changes in relationships with children or with casual romances. Eclipses in the Eleventh House can often indicate changes in relationships with our peers and friends.

If Aquarius occupies your Sixth or Twelfth House, the focus over the next five months will be on your health — both physical and spiritual. Eclipses in the Sixth House often make you aware of your physical needs and illness, while in the Twelfth House, they highlight religious or spiritual needs.

Somehow they missed the Fourth and Tenth houses. The Fourth is home and family. The Tenth House is where I have three planets in Aquarius: Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn. This is the house about–careers! (Did you know I was looking for a new one?)